Blotting-ruler.



No. 811,311. PATENTED JAN. 30, 1906.

G. W. MACKENZIE.

BLOTTING RULER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.9, 1905.

rrn r rs Specification of Letters lPatent.

Patented Jan. 30, 1906.

Application filed February 9, 1905. Serial No. 244,903.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. MACKEN- ZIE, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Ben Avon, in the county of Allegheny and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inBlotting- Rulers, of which the following is a specification, referencebeing had therein to the accompanying drawings, forming part of thisspecification, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improvedblotting-ruler. Fig. 2 is an end view thereof. Fig. 3 is an edge view ofone end. Fig. 4 is a-similar view, partly in section, showing thesecuring-clip raised in the operation of attaching one end of theblotter. Fig. 5 is a detail view showing the under side of thesecuringclip. Fig. 6 is a similar view of one end of the strip ofblotting-paper, indicating its turned-up end.

My invention relates to improvements in rules or straight edges such asare commonly used by bookkeepers, accountants, and others; and itconsists of such a ruler provided with a facing of blotting-paper orother absorbent material so combined with the ruler as to be readilyattachable to' and detachable therefrom, whereby the ruler may be usedin the ordinary way, also to the means incorporated with the ruler forattaching the blotting element.

Referring to the drawings, wherein the invention is illustrated, 2represents an ordinary ruler or straight-edge usually having a bevelededge at one side. At each end of the ruler are located clips 3, adaptedto securely hold the turned-up ends of a strip 4 of blotting-paper insuch a manner as to neatly secure it along the under side of the ruler,whereby it may be used as a blotter without in any way interfering withthe ordinary use of the ruler. The strip 4 of blotting-paper ispreferably cut out, as at 5, when necessary, so as to fit neatly aroundthe ends of the ruler and to correspond with the beveled edge, thusproviding attaching-terminals 6 of somewhat narrower width adapted to bebent up over the ends or the ruler, as clearly shown. The clip 3, asshown in the drawings, consists merely of a spring-blade of sheet metalsecured upon the ruler by a screw 7 and provided with adownwardly-turned pointed tip or projection 8, adapted to pierce throughthe blotting-paper, a corresponding aperture 9 being cut out of theupper face of the ruler to provide for clearance. 10 of the clippreferably extends somewhat beyond each end of the ruler, whereby it mayThe end i be readily lifted by the finger for the purpose of insertingthe ends of the blotting-strip, and when released the point 8 willpierce through the strip and also bear down upon it with considerablepressure, due to its resiliency. While this construction of clip is welladapted to the purpose and is very simple and convenient, it is obviousthat other forms of securing devices may be employed for holding theends of the blotting-strip, and I do not, therefore, desire to belimited to the 6X act construction shown.

The blotting-strips may be readily renewed from time to time or may bereversed, if desired. They may be provided in suitable shape andquantity and furnished with the ruler or may be readily cut from a sheetof blotting-paper. The device results in a great saving of time andavoids the necessity of using a separate blotter and is immediatelyavailable by accountants for the purpose of blotting lines drawn by thepen with the aid of the ruler in footing up accounts.

The advantages of the invention are manifest and will be appreciated byall those accustomed to the use of separate rulers and blotters. Variousadaptations of the invention may be made, or it may be changed or variedin its details of construction by the skilled mechanic without departingfrom the following claims.

What I claim is" 1. A ruler provided at each end. with pivotally-mountedspring-clips having inwardlyturned piercingpoints, substantially as setforth.

2. A ruler provided at each end with clearance-recesses, and.pivotally-mounted springclips having inwardly-turned piercing-pointsadapted to enter said recesses, substantially as set forth.

3. A ruler provided at each end with clearancerecesses, pivotedspring-clips having inwardly-turned points adapted to enter saidrecesses, and a strip of blotting-paper extending longitudinally of theruler along its under side with its terminals bent up and securedbetween the ruler and said clips at each end, substantially as setforth.

4. A ruler provided at each end with clear ance-recesses, and pivotedspring-clips having inwardly-turned piercing-points adapted to entersaid recesses, said clips extending outwardly beyond the ends of theruler, substantially as set forth.

5. A ruler provided at each end with clearance-recesses and havingspring-clips pivotally secured to the ruler at their inner ends providedwith inwardlyturned piercingpoints formed by pressing the metaldownwardly in V form whereby the points are adapted to pierce throughthe terminal edges of a blotting-strip and into the clearance-recesses,substantially as set forth.

6. The combination with a ruler provided at each end withclearance-recesses and pivotally-mounted spring-clips havinginwardlyturned piercing-points, of a strip of blottingpaper of uniformwidth bounded at each end by bias cuts terminating in narrowedextensions adapted to be bent upwardly around the ends and top of theruler, and to be secured thereto, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE w. MACKENZIE.

Witnesses:

JAMES M00. MILLER, C. M. CLARKE.

